28 Colorful & Fun Paper Plate Summer Crafts For Kids

Looking for easy, fun paper plate summer crafts to keep kids busy? These colorful ideas use simple supplies and are perfect for preschoolers and young kids at home or in the classroom.

From beach and ocean themes to rainbows and sunshine, each activity is designed to be low-prep, engaging, and creative. Most crafts use basic materials like paper plates, paint, and glue, making them ideal for quick summer projects.

Also, be sure to check out all of our paper plate crafts for more easy ideas!

Collage of bright paper plate crafts such as sharks, fish, rainbow, and watermelon with text reading “Simple paper plate crafts to keep kids busy this summer.”

Paper Plate Octopus

Kids can create a cute octopus using a paper plate, paint, and curled paper tentacles for a fun under-the-sea activity. The cutting and curling steps help build fine motor skills while letting kids get creative with colors and expressions.

www.littleladoo.com

Paper Plate Rainbow Craft

A paper plate rainbow craft is a perfect project that transforms colored paper into a vibrant rainbow. By cutting and arranging strips of paper on a paper plate, kids can create a beautiful and unique rainbow design.

It's a fun and hands-on way to explore colors, making it perfect for a creative afternoon indoors or a crafty playdate with friends.

Paper Plate Shark

Kids can create a friendly shark using a paper plate, paint, and simple cut-out pieces for fins, teeth, and facial features. Assembling the layers helps build fine motor skills while letting kids explore an ocean theme in a fun, creative way.

Three decorated paper plate face masks with cut-out eyes are arranged with colorful toy sunglasses and paint tubes.

Summer Paper Plate Masks

Kids can turn simple paper plates into funny sunburnt summer masks, complete with bright red faces and silly expressions. Using paint, cut-out details, and fun decorations, each mask becomes a playful character kids can wear for pretend play.

makeandtakes.com

Paper Plate Tropical Fish

This cute idea is perfect for those long, hot days when you need a creative indoor activity. Using common supplies like paper plates, paint, and colorful paper, kids can make their own vibrant tropical fish.

It's a great way to keep them entertained and bring a little bit of the ocean to your home!

Paper Plate Ice Cream Craft

Kids can design their own ice cream treat by turning a paper plate into a colorful cone with a scoop and cherry on top. The mix of painting, tracing, and layering pieces keeps the activity engaging while giving kids a chance to be creative.

thesoccermomblog.com

Paper Plate Fish Craft

The paper plate fish craft from The Soccer Mom Blog is an adorable and easy project for kids. It's perfect for a rainy day or a summer afternoon when you need a quick and fun activity.

With just a few supplies like paper plates, paint, and markers, kids can create their own colorful fish. This craft is a great way to keep them busy and let their imaginations swim wild!

Paper Plate Sun Craft

Searching for a bright and cheerful summer project that kids will love? This paper plate sun poject is perfect!

It's an excellent way to keep children engaged and entertained with just a few basic supplies like paper plates and paint. Plus, it helps kids improve their hand-eye coordination while having fun.

twokidsandacoupon.com

Bumble Bee Paper Plate Craft

Kids can make a cheerful bumble bee using a yellow paper plate, adding bold black stripes and simple eyes. Arranging the stripes introduces basic patterns while giving kids a hands-on activity to focus on.

Paper Plate Killer Whale Craft

This paper plate killer whale craft is a fantastic summer activity, especially for ocean-loving kids.

Using simple supplies like paint and paper plates, children can create their very own majestic killer whale. It's also a fun way to teach kids about marine animals and their habitats during the summer break!

thesoccermomblog.com

Paper Chain Octopus Craft

Do your kids want to create something wiggly and fun? Well, this lively octopus craft is perfect for little hands!

Your kids will enjoy making paper chains and seeing how they transform into tentacles that wiggle and move.

rufflesandrainboots.com

Rainbow Cereal Paper Plate

Are you looking for a fun and delicious activity for your little ones? With a little fruity cereal and marshmallows, kids can create their edible rainbow.

It's a simple way to learn about colors and patterns and improve fine motor skills while enjoying a tasty treat.

rainydaymum.co.uk

Beach Themed Paper Plate Wreath

Transform ordinary paper plates into cool beach treasures! Your kids will enjoy this hands-on experience.

Adults can assist in cutting the plate while children bring the seashells to life with colorful paint and playful arrangements.

mamaofminis.com

Paper Plate Flamingo Craft

Kids can turn a paper plate into a bright pink flamingo by adding torn paper pieces for texture and long legs for a fun finishing touch. The layering and gluing help strengthen fine motor skills while keeping kids engaged in a hands-on activity.

craftykidsplay.com

Shark Paper Plate Puppet Craft

Kids can build a fun shark puppet using a paper plate, paint, and simple cut-out pieces for the ocean scene. Attaching the shark to a stick turns it into an interactive craft kids can move and play with after decorating.

intheplayroom.co.uk

Easy Starfish Craft

How about creating a beautiful ocean scene with your little ones? Print out the starfish template and let your kids choose glittery paper in their favorite colors to paste it on.

They will love adding their personal touch and moving the starfish up and down.

raisecuriouskids.com

Paper Plate Crab Craft

Are you looking for a fun and easy craft? Have your kids paint the paper plate orange and add the template pieces for claws and eyes.

This playful project looks great on the fridge or a bulletin board!

homeschoolpreschool.net

Paper Plate Sun Craft

Celebrate the sunny days of summer with your kids with project! Children can use yellow paint to decorate the plate, then add googly eyes, sun mouth, and rays using pipe cleaners to bring their sun to life.

This engaging activity encourages creativity and can be used to help kids learn about weather concepts in a fun way.

raisecuriouskids.com

Starfish Paper Plate Craft

Are your kids ready to explore undersea wonders? Kids can make their starfish using a paper plate and bubble wrap for a textured finish.

This craft encourages creativity and improves coordination as they create unique ocean-inspired artwork.

tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

F is For Fish

Kids can explore the letter F by turning a paper plate into a bright, fish-themed project with paint and simple shapes. Adding details like fins and facial features helps reinforce letter recognition while keeping kids engaged. It’s a fun option for preschool and kindergarten literacy activities with an ocean theme.

Watermelon Craft

This watermelon paper plate activity is a bright and fun summer craft for elementary-aged kids. With painting, cutting, and adding the face details, it gives kids a chance to get creative while building fine motor skills. It’s a playful art project that works great for classrooms, art time, or summer camps

craftykidsplay.com

Paper Plate Crab Craft

Have you ever considered combining a craft project with a musical twist? Your kids will love painting a paper plate, folding it, and adding rice to make a crab shaker.

It's a fun project that kids can actually use!

tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com

Hands-On Water Cycle

Let your kids make learning about the water cycle exciting and memorable! To create a mini water cycle model, kids can get hands-on with craft foam, cotton balls, and a paper plate.

This hands-on approach helps children grasp complex scientific concepts through tactile learning and interactive exploration!

momhacks101.com

Paper Plate Turtle Craft

Need a cool sea turtle proejct? This one is it! Kids can make their own turtle using paper plates and green paper. It's fun to decorate with googly eyes and make it look just right. It ideal for a too hot day or when you just want the kids to relax and do something creative!

www.kitchentableclassroom.com

Paper Plate Butterflies

Are your kids fascinated with butterflies? If so, kids can get crafty with this project by cutting a paper plate into asymmetrical shapes and then using paint to decorate the body and the wings.

This engaging activity encourages creativity and improves their cutting accuracy.

momhacks101.com

Paper Plate Tropical Fish Craft

Using crepe paper for scales, children can make vibrant and textured fish that are ideal for toddlers or preschoolers to create.

This craft encourages kids to develop their fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and decorating various parts of the fish.

www.darcyandbrian.com

Sun Paper Plate Craft

How about making a sunny masterpiece with handprints? This craft involves tracing hands on yellowand orange paper and arranging them around a paper plate.

This DIY fosters learning about weather and seasons in a hands-on way, allowing children to explore concepts like sunshine and warmth through creative expression.

www.darcyandbrian.com

Paper Plate and Tissue Paper Rainbow

Kids can create a bright rainbow by layering colorful tissue paper onto a paper plate to form simple arches. The tearing and sticking process helps build fine motor skills while keeping kids focused on color order and patterns.

www.livinglifeandlearning.com

Whale Paper Plate Craft

Kids can create a simple ocean scene by adding a whale and underwater details to a paper plate background. Attaching the whale to a stick gives it movement, turning the craft into a fun interactive activity.

What kind of paper plate crafts are you excited to try? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

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Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump, and more.

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